10 Prohibition-Era Speakeasies You Can Still Visit - Tasting Table

"Prohibition was the nationwide ban on the sale, manufacturing, and transportation of alcohol in the United States from 1920 to 1933. During this period, gangsters and bootleggers produced illegal booze, smuggled it across state lines, and ran secret bars throughout the country. While some bars were raided by the authorities, others thrived as a result of deals with the police or extensive protective measures."

"Chicago's Uptown neighborhood is a historic cultural hub with century-old venues and architectural charm. The city's oldest continuously running jazz club, Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, has been open since 1907, and it served up drinks and entertainment throughout Prohibition to mobsters and music lovers alike. Walking into the Green Mill is like taking a step back in time."

"Behind that wooden bar is a trapdoor, used throughout Prohibition as both an escape route for guests and an access point to secret storage tunnels filled with alcohol."

Speakeasies have become popular destinations for immersive experiences and social media appeal, featuring hidden entrances, secret passcodes, and skilled mixology. However, most modern speakeasies lack authentic connections to Prohibition-era illegal bars. Prohibition, lasting from 1920 to 1933, banned alcohol sales and manufacturing nationwide, forcing gangsters and bootleggers to produce and smuggle illegal liquor while operating secret bars. Some establishments survived through police deals or protective measures including trapdoors and hidden tunnels. A select few original speakeasies remain operational today, preserving their historical character and Prohibition-era operations. The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood exemplifies this authenticity, operating continuously since 1907 and serving drinks throughout Prohibition to mobsters and music enthusiasts, featuring original interior design and a trapdoor leading to secret alcohol storage tunnels.

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